Sergio Perez has rated his Formula 1 comeback with Cadillac “close to 10”, saying his performances during the opening half of the 2026 season have proved to him that he remains one of the best drivers on the grid. The Mexican admitted that he had doubts before returning, but believes the right environment has allowed him to perform at a very high level again.
After spending the 2025 season away from the grid following his departure from Red Bull, Sergio Perez joined the new Cadillac team alongside Valtteri Bottas. Although the American operation has faced the expected difficulties during its debut campaign, Perez has been encouraged by his own race and qualifying performances.
Sergio Perez rates Cadillac F1 comeback close to 10
Asked by the media to assess his performances since returning to Formula 1, Sergio Perez acknowledged that there were still areas in which he could have done better.
“It is difficult to give it a rating,” Sergio Perez said. “Obviously, there are things I could have done better. So I definitely would not give myself a 10, but I think I am close.”
The six-time Grand Prix winner has been one of the central figures in Cadillac’s first Formula 1 season. His experience has been particularly valuable as the new team continues building its technical and operational foundations while competing against much more established rivals.
Cadillac return erased Sergio Perez’s doubts
Sergio Perez admitted that he was not completely certain about returning to Formula 1 after the difficult conclusion to his time with Red Bull. However, his early performances for Cadillac have restored his confidence and reassured him that he can still compete at the highest level.
“I have been very happy with my performances since I returned,” he continued. “I had some doubts about coming back to the sport.”
“I came back and I am really happy because I managed to prove to myself that I am still one of the best out there. With the right environment, I can perform at a very high level, and I think I have proved that to myself.”
Cadillac deliberately selected an experienced driver line-up for its debut campaign rather than pairing one established competitor with a rookie. Team principal Graeme Lowdon has already explained why Cadillac has no regrets over choosing Sergio Perez and Valtteri Bottas, with both drivers contributing knowledge gained from race-winning Formula 1 teams.
Sergio Perez encouraged by race and qualifying pace
Although Cadillac has struggled to convert its progress into championship points, Sergio Perez believes his underlying performance has continued to improve. He highlighted both his long-run speed and his qualifying pace as reasons for optimism.
“My race pace has been really strong, as has my qualifying pace, so I am getting better and better,” Sergio Perez concluded. “I am very happy.”
His assessment provides an encouraging personal conclusion to a demanding first half-season for Cadillac. The team has encountered reliability and performance problems while learning how to operate as Formula 1’s 11th entrant, making its debut challenge more difficult than initially expected.
For Sergio Perez, however, the comeback has already achieved something important. Regardless of Cadillac’s current position on the grid, he believes he has demonstrated that the speed and confidence damaged during his final months with Red Bull have not disappeared.
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